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Creative homes for birds and bees

Local artisan gives animal shelter a twist
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Moe Brisson used non-toxic materials on his well-researched bird houses. “A chickadee will only go into a specific sized hole

M

oe Brisson believes nature’s creatures can provide endless hours of entertainment. This is part of the reason he began building his hand crafted wooden bird houses, with natural, chemical-free products.  

“The entertainment value is just fantastic,” he said. “We love watching them coming back and forth, feeding their young and teaching them how to fly. It’s just hilarious.”

Moe has always been creative and has made many things over the years, from paintings to doll houses, and garden art.

Together with his wife Lorri, Moe started Spirit Art Enterprises about 10 years ago. People took notice of his distinctive and captivating Carved Scapes, carved wooden scenes with abstract landscapes and colourful, wooden cabins.

And Moe didn’t stop there. 

He has made and sold a large variety of both functional and decorative art over the years, only limited by his imagination.

“Imagination is its own reward,” he said.

Moe sells a variety of items today, like abstract art, wooden carved masks and garden benches and has even crafted flowers out of seaweed. Moe also praises nature for giving him his materials, like seaweed and driftwood, and 95 per cent of his materials are recycled from hardware stores and construction sites. Moe also makes sure all of his materials are non-toxic. 

 Moe’s bird houses are among his most popular pieces, and besides their aesthetic and entertainment value, having extra birds around can be beneficial in other ways, Moe said. 

“They catch all kinds of bugs,” he said. “It’s a natural pest control, without the use of chemicals.”

Moe also makes Mason bee houses, helpful for pollinating fruit trees, flowers and gardens, and he also makes butterfly and ladybug houses.

Moe’s houses are reasonably priced, but can’t compete with some of the imported, Chinese varieties on the market. The comparison is simple however; Moe’s are one-of-a-kind, help keep materials out of the landfill and are well-researched. You want to make sure you have a house that the birds are going to like after all, said Lorri.

 “They are fussy,” She said. “A chickadee will only go into a specific sized hole.”

Lori has designed the website, the business cards and assists Moe in finding his materials. She checks out the markets, makes suggestions and above all encourages him.

“Without Lori I would be nothing,” Moe said of his wife of 40 years, insisting she’s the backbone of the business. 

The couple said winter is the toughest time for their business as they are mostly making things and dreaming up ideas. They are both excited for springtime, when they can resume selling at outdoor markets and from their front yard.

Besides their home gallery in Parksville, some of Moe’s work can be found at Smashin’ Glass & Anything Art Co. in Parksville. He sells his work at The Old School House’s Artisan Market in the summertime and will also be found at Parksville’s Craig Street Market this summer.

Moe said making his art is a great challenge and keeps his creative juices flowing, but his greatest satisfaction is the joy in his buyer’s faces when they have found something they love.

“It’s satisfying to make something and to see them move out into the world.”

Moe and Lorri welcome guests to their home gallery to have a look at Moe’s current stock, and some of his products can be found on his website. Visit www.spiritart.ca, e-mail spiritart@shaw.ca or call 250-248-2582 for more information.

reporter@pqbnews.com